Life in the Department

Our classes are taught at a higher level than high school courses, so don’t be surprised if you need to “repeat” a course – you’ll learn what you need to be successful in later math courses.

First and second year courses usually have 35-40 students. Upper level courses often have 10-20 students.

There are many research opportunities available to you in a variety of application areas. Many of these projects result in publications (a great experience to prepare you for graduate school), and some receive funding through grant proposals.

After graduation

Math majors get jobs because they have skills employers want – the ability to think, reason, and communicate, with some experience with statistics and computers – and they are easily trained.

You probably won’t use a lot of your mathematics in your job. Very few job titles are labeled “mathematician,” but titles with the words “operations,” “management” or “analyst” often involve mathematical skills.

What to do now

Pay attention to your ACT/SAT exam. These scores matter to us.

Take as many AP courses and exams, along with postsecondary classes, as possible. You may be able to earn bypass credits towards graduation.

Visit The University of Akron to sit in a class, meet some faculty and find out what the social environment on campus is like.

Visit other schools to compare and contrast them. Focus on the department you’ll be majoring in – that’s where you’ll spend the most time. Although it’s hard for you to know exactly what to look for in a department, check the variety of upper level classes and ask about other opportunities. You’ll be in that department for at least 4 years, so you want to be sure that you’ll be comfortable there.